Seven-time Martinsville winner Jeff Gordon captured the pole for Sunday afternoon’s Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at the famed Martinsville Speedway. The No.24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driver circled the 0.526-mile short track in 19.666 seconds (96.288 m.p.h.).

Elliott Sadler was held out of the start of Friday’s practice in the No. 19 car after injuring his lower back during his regular workout routine and aggravating it further playing golf.

David Reutimann wanted to keep the points he earned in the No. 00 car during the first five races of the Sprint Cup season as he makes the switch to the No. 44 driven by Dale Jarrett for Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway.
NASCAR said no.

Greg Biffle is in his contract year — is deal with Roush Fenway Racing is up at the end of the season. He’s got something to prove, not only to everybody who thought he would never make the Chase again, but also to team owner Jack Roush.

Tony Stewart comes into Martinsville Speedway relaxed and refreshed after a rare off-weekend on the 38-race weekend Sprint Cup Series schedule. The driver of the #20 Home Depot Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing is also a bit more aerodynamic, for the long hair he had sported since the end of last season is gone. Stewart’s [...]

UPDATE:
Beginning this weekend in Martinsville, driver Ken Schrader will be piloting a Toyota Camry. According to team co-owner Tony Morgenthau,

It could hardly be considered an upset if a No. 14 “seed” wins this weekend. Jeff Gordon, who is currently 14th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings, has a great track record at Martinsville Speedway - site of this Sunday’s Goody’s Cool Orange 500.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at 22 tracks, only one of which was part of the sanctioning body’s historic first season in 1948.
Martinsville Speedway.

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Vanguard Integrity Professionals, Inc. announced today that on Jan. 30, 2008 it terminated its sponsorship of Team Gordon, Inc. for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Dakar Rallies.